Amazons, according to ancient Greek tradition, the name of a community of women, who permitted no man to reside among them, fought under the conduct of a queen, and long constituted a formidable state. They were said to burn off the right breast, that it might not impede them in the use of the bow. Several nations of Amazons are mentioned, the most famous being those who dwelt in Pontus, who built Ephesus and other cities. They came into contact with the Greeks three times: their queen, Hippolyta, was vanquished by Hercules; they attacked Attica in the time of Theseus, and they came to the assistance of Troy under their queen, Penthesilea, who was slain by Achilles.